Process for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils



V. L. EMERSON.

PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION ILED MAY 5. 1920. 1,846,798. Pat t d July 13, 1920.

3 5HEEISSHEEI l.

/ H LW Wk 3 mmmtoz V. L. EMERSON. PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF RYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION HLED MAY 6, i920.

Patented July 13, 1920.

3 SHEElS-SHEU 2.

gnuenioz V. L. EMERSON. PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, [920. 1,346,798. Pat t d Jul 13, 1920.

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oil in many cases. The oxfien'ofthewater,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

-- ,PBDOESB FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDJBDCABIBON OILS.

Original application filed Kay 8, 1m,

' 1990. Serial To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, Vwmn LEE Emnnson, a citizen of the United States,-.residing at Philadelghia, county of Philadelphia, and State of i emisylvanm. have invented certain new Improvements in Processes for the 3011 version of Hydrocarbon 0111s oi which the following is c specification.

hile this invention relates broadly to distillation and. conversion of complex chemical combinations into new atomic groups, it reletes more spenifi ally to a process for the umversion of heavy hydrocarbon 0118.!1'1130 lighter hydrocarbon 011s. This application is a continuation an art ,0; my application Serial No. 335 563 1 ed November 3, 1919.

it is an object of my invention to eliminate the impurities in theoil,.- such as sulfur and water and similar foreign compounds to prevent them from formin' objectionable combinations in the stilhsuc as carbon bisulfid, and 'to prevent the elements of oxygen and hydrogen contained-in water pres; ent in the 011 and iorjlning pors or gaseous produot'gvin'the' s Heretofore oil stills have jusuraflyfhgen rectly with the oil withancaprevjously. treat: ing the sameso-that the .inm fiiles-qr 'oreig'n matter'refeizred'to areren'love p i results the destruction-45f. the. stilt e'r sari:

Qua-i ter er nc h th fiove ti ...;-fl pm s-fvi eet xe eeioisrh ta en. 1 5

on '-the still: "are being fed to the still whilejjt 11's. perature.

' r o wemmnea the combimng with the car naeeo'us,gases, forms chemical oombinations; ip--.which combustion takes place, rapidly supported by the hydrogen contained in the ntef'andthe Stilt-1, furqus gases present,'resultingin' melamine, plosio'ns.

With the present method,

Specification of Letter: Patent.

7 subject the heavier. .011 to the. Action e pl e h pounds by uniting with-thooarborrafeous-va-.

, wh ch often" tom ' 1t iiiohvious theyqa'reinjeoted is at e fact that Patented July 13, 1920.

Serial No. 879,858. Divided and this application filed my 6,

impurities or foreign compounds from the oilprior to the admission of Lin; arr-e uto the still It is a hurtl er objec 0? he rose: t 1"ivention to utilize the hcqt t e qSeox-s products connzzg from the Hull to preheat the oil before it as pump; mm; the st! T his results in 'he gvaporaawn held in suspens on rcmo AA Sul'i ur ous compounds that llllgl'i enter mto com bination with e'rlher t;-e 015 wmer or see eous' products. At the same ti -:e A poghon of the heavier products coming (we? m goseous form from the still are condv-iscu by contact with a body of 0*! which 19 At a 101 1:1 temperature and conversely the rczw iiy porizahllematerial in the body of m; rans:- f rmed into to, 1' by the he; fmnemitlied to the same rem the gaseous brou'g'ht in w en therewith.

'I't'is likewise-an object of my mvmugn to p'ict and the heat of-the' gaseous Products "heathen-(r11 and to'combme the some with such; produts henthetifl are condensed on comm withthe hodl 10} oil Lit luVQl tfijmliorat lmre." jThe prjehepted nod prctreutcd oil anrloondeneateszereeiniegied inn tile mamureef the fgl inb) which they are. injected.

that the materml mtb which I higher temperature thnn th'e material injected. This is due to the material in the -still has heenrohbed of the lower boiling oils by disin carrying out my process, the hydrocarhons havmg a relatively are subjected to the heat of the residual hydrocarbons undergoing treatment under high 'vress-ure and temperature which have a high i'ling point, The supply of low boiling hydrocarbons to the high boiling hydrocaronly utilizes-the tem- "lions in the still not are entirely avoided as the contained Bcmture and hent'of the high boiling hyand sulfur compounds and other impurities rocarbons to cause a cracking to the introduction, of thfi oil into the still. out invention to pro do for. the-removal of reaction of the low boiling hydrocarbons. but the low hailing hydrocarbons, when intermixed with -the high boiling hydrocarbons, act to main- ;nmducts low boiling point,

tain the entire mixture in such a state as to avoid the formation of hard carbon and free gas by excessive cracking due to the extreme temperatures accompanyin a reduction of the distillate to a high boi ing point. This action is present to a large extent in the ordinary rocesses. I

It is a still urther object of my invention to utilize the pressure and heat of the gases as they come over from the still to give a high velocitv to the gaseous roducts irom the still sufficient to cause mo ecular dissociation on impact either of the gaseous roducts themselves or in combination wit the oil. The molecular dissociation roduces a condition indueive to the formation of new atomic groups and the production of a product of lighter gravity and lower boiling point.

Before roceeding to describe the process in detaih l deem it best to explain certain theories which I believe are involved in my process, but I do this merely in order that those skilled in the art may more clearly appreciate its eculiar characteristics and may consequent y apply it in practical use. I wish it to be understood that the patentable-novelty of my process does not depend upon the scientific accuracy of the theories advanced. The theories are given by way of explanation of the phenomena occuring in my process. While not limiting mysel to any one theory or hypothesis it would appear that the high velocity of the gaseous products from-the still, and fluid intermixed therewith, give rise to a molecular attrition of extreme violence at the point of impact. A large amount of heat is also liberated at the. point of impact. The attrition caused by impact aids at this int to reduce the masses to ver fine particles which renders them particu arly susceptible to chemical dissociation due to the action of the various phenomena attendant upon impact. One of the phenomena attendant upon impact, which I believe aids in the chemical dissociation, is that of ionization. The friction attendant upon attrition at the point of impact sets up an electrical effect which causes the ionization. The heat liberated at the point of im )act has its well known function of aiding the chemical action at this point and supplies heat to be subsequently utilized in the treatment of the hydrocarbons during the cycle of operation. The cracking decomposition of organic compounds by heat is explained on the basis of the occurrence of inter-molecular collisions of such violence that the bonds holding together the various atoms or groups are ruptured. The degree of cracking varies as the temperature to 'llil'll the substance is heated. The shock of impact sets up violent molecular -vibratinns which cause inter-molecular collisions similar to the action of heat which cause dispun p are showndiagrammaticall sociation on impact, All these phenomena are attendant upon impact and are inducive to the chemical dissociationherein set forth. It is sufficient to say that, due to such efiects as these, a molecular arrangement is produced and new atomic groups are formed and a ver large pro ortion of the lighter and simp e hydrocar ons result from this a out in a confined chamber under heat.

It will be apparent that the gaseous products and liquid hy'drocarbons'are rapidly subjected to temperature changes. The

aseous products, on reaching the jets, have en cooled by expansion, thereafter they are heated by impact and are again cooled by being brought in contact with the liquids which are maintained at a lower temperature than the gaseous products. The liquids are raised in temperature by intermixture with the gaseous products from the still and undergo temperature changes along with these gaseous products. Theconstant rapid change of temperature promotes the dissociation of, the hydrocarbon molecules by subjecting them to repeated and sudden changes in stress due to temperature changes, which tend to overcome their chemical inertia. Thus; the molecular dissociation of the high boilin heavy hydrocarbon oils is accomplishe in a manner which avoids a temperature productive of a pressure which would be destructive to the containing vessel in the ordinary processes.

The term attrition is used in the description of the reaction taking place on impact, but it should be understood that this term not onl covers a mechanical attrition but a molecu er and atomic attrition as well in the present instance.-

Other obf'ects and advantages of the invention wil appear hereinafter.

In order to render my resent invention clear, reference is. bad to t e accompanying drawings in which Figure his a vertical section of one form of apparatus for carrying out the conversion of hydrocarbon oils;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of that rtion of the ap aratus shown at the left 0 Fig. 1 on an en arged scale in which the still and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectiop o the. rear heater of the still shown in Fig. 1 illustratin!" in particular the liquid impelling apparatus.

.20, 1920, with certain modifications as will hereinafter appear. Where my pr is capable of being carried out through a wide range of temperatures and p and the details of the apparatus are capable of variation within the scope ofmy invention which is not limited to the articular temperatures, ressures or deta' mentioned or disclosed, t e following is an example of the execution of my process in a articular instance. While my process is a apted for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils broadly, I find that satisfactoryresults, when 0 rating on fuel oil, will be obtained by t e use of a pressure in thestill of 75 to 10Q pounds per square inch with an accompanying temperature of seven hundred to eight hundred degrees Fahrenheit. With this temperature and pressure, a cracking reaction will take place with the attendant formation of gaseous products. The products of distillation which come over from the still include true gases, such as hydrogen, vapors saturated vapors and gases and particles oi the material undergoing distillation which remain in the liquid form and are held in suspension by the gaseous products. I use the term gaseous products to cover all the material coming over from the still as described.

To facilitate the descri tion, I refer to the apparatus to the left of ig. 1 to which the gaseous )roducts from the still are delivered, as t no primary still and the high pres-.

sure still to the right of Fig. 1 as the secondary still, since the oil is first treated to partial distillation inthe primary still and further distillation in the secondary still.

In the form of apparatus herein shown, the gaseous products from the seconda still 1 are led by a pipe 2 to a rimary sti l In this form of apparatus t e receptacle 4 is of any desired shape or size to which a supply of fresh heavy hydrocarbon oil, indicatcd at 5, is fed through a suitable feed pipe 6 which is controlled by a valve 7. This valve may be either manually or automatically controlled to maintain a certain predetermined quantity of oil in the apparatus. The valve 7 herein shown is controlled by a float 8, the limit of whose action is controlled by an adjustable thumb screw.seated in the top wall of the receptacle. The revoluble member of the valve 7 is connected to the float 8 by a bar 10. The float in its vertical movement controls the degree of oscillation of the valve 7 and brings the openin 11 in the latter into or out of register with the feed pipe and the reee taele 4 for the purpose of controlling the ow of oil to the receptacle 4. The bottom of the receptacle 4- is preferably ta red toward a central outlet 12 controlle by a gate valve or other closure means 13, through which the solid or other material .which settles to the bottom of the rose taele may be drawn oil from time to time. suitable pedestal 14 is provided for supporting the receptacle 4 at a convenient hei ht to rmit the valve 13 to be manipulate In t e lower rtion of the wall of the race taele, an out et pipe 15 is provided throu ii which outlet the contents of the receptac c, after treatment therein, may be pumped or forced by the ump 16 into the material undergoing distil ation in the seconda still 1 through the pipe 17 and liquid impel ing 1jet apparatus shown in enlar ed detail in i 3.

t will thus be evident that the primary still forms an intermediary between the source of supply and the secondary still.

Within the apparatus the supply of heavy as shown, whereby a cracking reaction takes place between the material injected and the material undergoing distillation, as described.

The top wall of the receptacle 4 has a central 0 ening with a downwardly depending mem er 18 which terminates in a vertical pipe 19, the lower end of which carries a flaring or bell-shaped member 20. This bell-shaped member extends to points adjacent the wall of the receptacle 4 and is there perforated with a series of holes 21,. Surrounding the member 18 and concentric therewith is a tubular baifie member 22 for the purpose of promoting circulation within the receptacle. Diametrically disposed in the top wall of the receptacle 4 are mounted vertical pipes 23 terminating at their lower portion and below the flange member 20 in elbows 24, the inner ends of the elbows beround the jets 27 Entrant jet nozzles 29 form part of the cross members 26 and terminate above the axis of the pipes 23.

The entrant jets 29 are fed from the manifold 30 which is adapted for connection to the secondary still 1 by means of the pi 2. A regulating valve 31 controls a supp y of aseous products from the seconda still 1. Vhile only two jets are shown in tlie present modification, it will be understood that any number of ets, with their accompanying pipes, may be employed, or the jets may play upon a baflle.

In order to impart proper kinetic ener y to the gaseous products, satisfactory resufts may be obtained b theuse ofa jet apparatus such as disc osed, following proportions based upon the standard practice in connection with steam injectors for the feed water of boilers, as disclosed in my copendiplg application Serial No. 379,358, filed ay 6, 1920, of which this application is a division.

Mounted upon the top wall of the receptacle 4 is a vapor dome 32 which is provided with an outlet pipe 33 to lead the gaseous products to a condenser or other suitable apparatus for fractionally separating the desired products.

In carrying out the present process in connection with the form of apparatus shown, the valve 31 is o ened permitting the gaseous products un er high pressure from the secondary still 1 to pass through the manifold 30 into the jets or nozzles 29. The gaseous products from the still pass through the jets 29 which are so designed as toproduce a high velocity by expansion, and they are delivered from the nozzles 27 into the reaction chamber 28 wherein they impinge upon one another. The jets having given the fluid issuing therefrom a very high velocity, impart thereto kinetic energy which is expended at the point of impact. The gaseous products from this step now pass down the pipe 19 and into the body of the liquid 5 in the receptacle 4. In this way the heat brought over by the stream of gase ous products from the secondary still 1 and the heat caused by the impart of the fluid jets serve to heat the body of liquid in the receptacle 4 as a preliminary step to its treatment in the secondary still 1. By this means the temperature of the contents of the rece tacle is kept well above the boiling point 0 water and the water contained in the heavy oil supplied thereto is thereb entrained as a vapor by the gaseous pro ucts and carried out through the dome 32, together with vaporized sulfurous compounds. By this action the heavy oil is dehydrated and desulfurized prior to its trea nt in the secondary still 1, and the lighter ydrocarbons existing in the heavyoil are fractionally removed before the oilenters the secondary still 1. It may also be possible that some additional action may take lace between the freel ionized gaseous products from the jets an the heavy material in the rece tacle.

T e use of the baflle member 22 serves to set up convection currents, which materially aid in the heating of the material in the receptacle and the separation of the im uri-' ties and foreign su stances from the resh supply of oil before treatment in the still. The upwardly moving material carries the gaseous products in bubbles which are released at the surface of the liquid and permits the latter to return through the channel begeen the pipe 19 and the member 22. The lid material which has been separated -out settles to the bottom of the receptacle 4 and is drawn ofi periodically by means of the valve 13, while this reaction just discussed may be carried out without the presence of ii uid material in the zone of impact, it has 11 found advanta cons to inject into the reaction chamber an into the field of the impinging masses, a certain portion of heavy oil. By suitable manipulation of the valves 25, the jets 29 and nozzles 27 act as injectors which serve to lift the liquid through the pipes 23, mix it with the incoming jets of hot gaseous products from the secondar still 1, andvproject the mixture at big velocity into the reaction chamber 28 where it is subjected to heat and treatment by im act.

In operation it is desira 1e to regulate the valves 25 so as to regulate the flow oi} oil into the jets in such a manner that in the preliminary steps to operation, a suflicient flow of oil may be assed through the jets to uickly heat up e oil in the receptacle to t e desired point. The flow of oil is then diminished to such a point that the gaseous products may attain a high velocity, together withthe oil in a very finely divided state. Thereafter, both the one products and the oil in a finely ivided llquid state are subjected to impact with its conseqluent reaction.

he liquid particles, intermixed with the 'gasous products, act to increase the action of impact by mutual impact with them and are subject to dissociation themselves, due to the action of impact. The friction caused by the attrition of the mutually impacting masses is inducive to -the formation of static electricity with its consequent ionizing efiect.

Durin the crackin distillation occurring in t e secondary still 1, a portion of the gaseous products are cracked while other portions remain uncracked. gaseous products are subjected to the action of 1mpact bymeans of jet apparatus, with the' result that the gaseous products are subjected to dissociation onimpact and the lic ' or other portion ber 28, a hy rogenating effect taking place.

If desired, water could be added to the heavy oil in the receptacle or directly to the jets, in order to increase the hydro enating effect. Hydrogen gas can also he admitted in the same manner and for the same purpose.

Referring pump 3 is injected into the oil undergoing distillation by means of a multiple iet apparatus, shown at 33, which is composed of a spreader 34 from which depend a series of nozzles 3.5. These nozzles extend downwardly between the partitions of the rear header so as to cause a rapid impelling of the material under oing distillation in a uniform manner. hen 0 rating with viscous material it is desira le to use a mechanical device, such as a propeller which I have shown at 36 in combination with the jets 35. When this is done the pipe connections to the jet ap aratus 33 will be so formed as to permit the proper location of the driving means for the propeller. It ma be found desirable to use either the prope ler or the jets alone in certain instances. safety valve 37 is located in the pipe line 2 to relieve any dangerous pressure in the still 1. A drain pipe, shown at 38, permits the removal of the residues which collect in the trap 39. A fuel burner located at 40 is so designed as to direct the flame downwardly in the furnace 41 as shown. I find it desirable to direct the flame of the burner downwardly so that the heat therefrom will be conducted to the pipes by radiation rather than by direct contact therewith. I find that this assists in avoiding over cracking of the oil due to excessive localized heat and results in a more even distribution of the heat. A partition 42 is so placed that the gases of combustion are caused to pass from the upper end of the tubes along their length and thence downwardly through the pit 43 from whence they escape through the stack 44. The partition 42 is so constructed as to form a passage 45, at the bottom thereof. This passage is normally obstructed by a brick or bricks, -indicated at 46. If it should happen that from any cause the tubes of the still should be deallow an escape of the oil the brick or 45 and the oil stroyed so as to therein, the oil would push bricks 46 out of the passage to Fig. 3, it will be seen that. the oil' fed to the secondary still 1 by thewould fill the pit 43, thus forming a liquid seal in such a manner as to cut ofi the draft. This effectually stifies the conflagration which'would follow if the draft were not shut off.

In the base of the stack 44 is placed a weighted valve 47 which is held in open position by a lug 48, of such material as will be effected y excessive heat to destroy-the function thereof. I find that a lug of wood in this position satisfactorily performs the desired function, although other temperature-responsive material might be use If the temperature ofthe gases of combustion passing through the stack becomes so great as to destroy the plug, the weight on the valve will cause the valveto close off the draft, thereb temperature of the still be point. v

While the particular embodiment of my invention has been described with reference to the treatment of etroleum for the production of lighter ydrocarbons, it is of course to be understood that my process is equally applicable to chemicals other than hydrocarbons. It is also to be understood that other conditions and reactions than those described may be present in the process and come within the scope of the appended claims.

' What I claim is:

1. The process of conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in the conversion of the heavy oils into a gaseous mass underpressure by the addition of heat, imparting kinetic ener thereto by exgansion, subjecting the energized and expan ed gaseous mass to impact, bringing the products of impact into proximity with fresh heavy oil, so as to permit t e heat equalization to take place between said products and fresh heavy oil with a consequent condensation of that portion of the products condensable at the equalization temperature, removing the resultant gaseous products and introducing the resultant liquid roducts into the material undergoing Sflfld. conversion by heat and ressure.

2. drocarbon oils into lighter oils, which consists in the conversion of heavy oils into a gaseous mass under pressure by the additlOIi) of heat, imparting kinetic energy thereto and gxpanded gaseous mass to impact, bringing the products of impact into intimate contactwith fresh heavy oil, permitting heat equalization to take place between said products and heavy oil and a consequent condensation of that portion of the products condensable at the-equalization temperature, removing the gaseous products, introducing the resultant liquid products into the ma- 6 process of conversion of heavy hyreducing the ow the danger expansion, subjecting the energized terial undergoing said conversion by heat and ressure.

3. n a process for. conversion of heavy h drocarbon oils into lighter oils, the steps o separatin by heat a mass of heavy hydrocarbon Oll into relatively heavier hydrocarbons in the form of 1i uid and lighter hydrocarbons in the form 0 a gaseous mass, imparting kinetic ener to the gaseous mass by expansion, converting said kinetic energy into heat by impact and utilizing the heat of the resultant products to reheat a separate mass of fresh hydrocar us, introducin said separate preheated mass of hydrocafiions into the heavier mass of the hydrocarbon oils.

4. In a process for conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter oils, the steps 0 separating by heat a mass of heavy hydro- '20 carbon oils into relatively heavierhydrocarbons in the form of h uid and lighter hydrocarbons in the form 0 a gaseous mass, imparting kinetic energy to the gaseous mass by expansion, converting the kinetic energy into heat by impact, utilizing the heat of the resultant products to preheat a separate mass of fresh hydrocarbons by subjecting them to intimate contact with said gaseous mass, and introducing said separate mass of hydrocarbons into the mass of heavier hydrocarbon oils.

5. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbons to lighter hydrocarbons which consists in converting a portion of the heavy as hydrocarbons into a gaseous mass by the addition of heat, imparting kinetic energy to the gaseous mm by ex ansion, imparting kinetic ener to fresh ea hydrocarbons b. subjecting themto the influence of a the ve ocity of the energized gaseous mass, subjecting the energized and said heavy hydrocarbons to impact and separating t e resultant products.

6. The recess of converting heavy hydrocarbon oi into lighter hydrocarbons which consists in converting a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon oils into a gaseous mass by the addition of heat, imparting kinetic energy to the gaseous mass by expansion, imparting 5 kinetic energy to a portion of fresh heavy oil by subjecting it to the influence of the velocity of the energized gaseous mass, sub- "ecting the energized gaseous mass and eavy oil to impact, bringing the products 55 of impact into intimate contact with a fresh supply of heavy oil, subjecting the fresh supply 0 heavy oil and products of impact to said etc of treatment, and separating out the tant products.

6o 7 The process of conversion of hydrocarbon oils which consists in imparting kinetic energy to a mass of the same, subjecting the said energized mass to impact, repeatedly subjecting the resultant products to impact together with a portion of fresh hydrocar bon oil, subjecting the products of impact thus formed to intimate contact with fresh hydrocarbon oil and drawing off the gaseous products.

8. The process of conversion of hydrocarbon oils which consists in imparting kinetic ener to a mass of the same, subjecting said energized mass to impact by the mutual impingement of jets o the same, subjecting the resultant products to impact, imparting kinetic ener to a separate mass of hydrocarbon oil mixing the same with said first mentione energized mass, subjecting the mixture to impact, subjecting the products of impact thus formed to intimate contact with a fresh mass of hydrocarbon oil and separating out the men tant products.

9. The process of conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils to lighter oils which consists of the conversion of the heavier oils to a gaseous mass under pressure by the addition of heat, imparting velocity thereto by expansion, imparting the velocity of the gaseous mass to afresh supply of the oil, causing mutual impact to take place between the gaseous mass and the fresh oil, subjecting the products of the impact to contact with the fresh oil and separating out the resulting gaseous product.

10. The process of conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils to lighter oils which consists of the conversion of the heavier oils to a gaseous mass". under pressure by the addition of heat, imparting velocity thereto by expansion, imparting the velocity of the gaseous mass to a fresh supply of the oil, causing mutual impact to take place between the gaseous mass and the fresh oil, subjecting the products of the impact to contact with the fresh oil, causing impact to take place between the gaseous mass and the fresh oil and condensates of the products caused by contact with the fresh oil, and separating out the resulting gaseous prodnote.

11. The process of conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils to lighter oils which consists in the conversion of the heavier oils to a gaseous mass under pressure by the addi- -tion of heat, imparting velocity thereto by expansion, imparting the velocity of the gaseous mass to a fresh supply of the oil, causing mutual impact to take place be tween the" gaseous mass and the fresh oil, subjecting the products of the impact to contact with fresh oil, causing impact to take place between the gaseous mass and the fresh oil and condensates of the products of impact caused by contact with the fresh oil, separating out the resulting gaseous prodnets, and introducing the condensates and fresh oil into the material undergoing conversion into a gaseous mass under pressure by the addition of heat.

'12. The process of the conversion of hydrocarbon oils to lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in the; conversion of heavier oils into a gaseous mass ulfder pressure by addition of heat, imparting veloc ity thereto-by expansion, causing impact by the mutual impingement pf ets of the gaseous mass, imparting the resultant heat of the products of impact to a body of fresh oil and separating out the gaseous products.

13. The process of the conversion of hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbonoils which consists in the conversion of heavier oils to a gaseous mass under pressure by addition of heat, imparting velocity thereto by expansion, causing impact by the .mutual impingement of ets of the gaseous mass, imparting the resultant heat of the products of impact to a body of fresh oil, repeatedly subjecting the remain-' action of ing liquid products to impact by;

t e gaseous the jets, and separating out products.

14. The process of conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils which consists in subjecting a mass of the same to relatively high temperature and pressure thereby transforming a portion of the same into a gaseous mass imparting kinetic energy to the aseous mass by expansion, convertin the inetic ener into heat by impact, uti izing the heat of t e gaseous products to preheat and redistill a separate mass of the fresh heavier hydrocarbons, introducing the preheated and predistilled separate mass into the mass of hydrocarbons under treatment of relatively high temperature and pressure.

15. The process of conversion of hydrocarbon oils which consists in distilling a mass of hydrocarbon oil under pressure, imparting kinetic energy to the gaseous products of distillation by expansion, subjecting the energized gaseous products to impact, heating afresh mass of hydrocarbon oil by bringing the heated products of impact into contact therewith, thereby volatilizing impurities in said fresh mass of hydrocarbon oil which are separated therefrom by the said addition of heat thereto; removing the volatilized impurities and hydrothe remaining liquid hydrocarbon products distillation by expansiom.

into the hydrocarbon oil undergoing distillation.

16. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in distilling a mass of heavy hydrocarbon oil underpressure, imparting kinetic energy to the gaseous products of subjectlng the see to im act) mixing t e rega p act with a fresh 11 oil, separating energized sultant products of im mass of heavy hydroca out the resultant gaseous products and feeding the resultant liquid products into the oil undergoing distillatiom 17. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in distilling a mass of heavy eign substances therein and such hydrocarbon oils as are vaporizable at the temperature thus maintained and feeding the remainin liquid products into the oil undergoing istillation under pressure.

18. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in subjecting a'mass of heavy hydrocarbon oil to a temperature and pressure sufiicient to convert a portion of said heavy oil into a gaseous mass and crack a portion of said gaseous mass, imparting kinetic energy to said gaseous mass under pressure by expansion thereof, imparting kinetic ener to a fresh mass of hydrocarbon oil by mixing said fresh mass with said energized gaseous mass, subjecting the energized mixture of fresh oil and gaseous mass to impact and separating out the resultant products.

19. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils which consists in distilling a mass of heavy hydrocarbon oil at a temperature and pressure sufficient to crack a portion of the gaseous products of distillation, imparting kinetic energy to said gaseous roducts by expansion, mixing a mass of osh hydrocarbon oil in the liquid state with said energized gaseous products, subjecting the mixture of energized gaseous products and subjecting the enfresh liquid hydrocarbon Oil to impact,

mixing the products of impact thus formed with a fresh supply of hydrocarbon oil, maintaining the temperature of said mixture of the products'of impact and fresh supply of hydrocarbon oil at such a deee as will condense those portions which 1t is'desirable to retreat, repeatedly treating the mixture of condensates thus formed, products of impact, and fresh sup ly of oil to impact, drawing off and con ensing the gaseous products thus formed and injectingthe liquid products thus formed into the hydrocarbon oilundergoing distillation.

20. The process of conversion of'h dro-d carbon oils which consists in converting a mass of heavy hydrocarbon oil into a gaseous mass under pressure by the addltlon of heat, imparting kinetic energy to and cooling the gaseous mass by expansion thereof, heating the energized and cooled gaseous mass by impact, cooling the products of 1mpact by contact with a cooler mass of fresh oil and separating out the resultant products.

21. The process of conversion of h drocarbon oils which consists in converting a mass of hydrocarbon oil into a gaseous mass under pressure by the addition of heat, 1m-

parting kinetic energy to and cooling the gaseous mass by expansion thereof, heating the energized and cooled gaseous mass by impact, cooling the products of impact by contact with a cooler mass of fresh oil, separating out the resultant gaseous products and feeding the remaining liquid products to the hydrocarbon oil undergoing conversion to by heat.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

VICTOR LEE EMERSON. 

